Lyrical Sonz

The 411

Before there was a Lyrical Sonz, there were back-yard jam sessions in Vegas and performances at UNLV.

Yes, Micah Ancheta and Stuart Nakai first began their musical journey together almost 10 years ago in Las Vegas. They met through a mutual friend, and it was after moving back home to Hawaii (Nakai in 2005 and Ancheta in 2006) that they decided the time was right to put together an album.

“We took a break for a while, but kept in contact,” says Nakai, who was born and raised on Kauai. “As the years passed we moved back home and hooked up again. The album took two years to record. It took a while because it was a lot of scheduling.”

Their self-titled, all-original album, which releases next week, is an island reggae storybook of the guys’ experiences in life and in love. In fact, songwriting is what they say is one of their strongest skills, hence their name, Lyrical Sonz.

“I am a strong believer in writing original music,” says Ancheta, a Saint Louis grad. “All of our songs display how creative we had to be in the thought process. This album delivers our true feelings on love, happiness and being positive.”

Q’nA

Lyrical Sonz: Micah Ancheta and Stuart Nakai

What is your musical background?

Stuart: Well, it really started in Las Vegas, which is where I lived for several years. I was in a cover band that played island reggae. I also was in a duo that played Hawaiian contemporary music, and I recorded a solo album called Back to Hawaii, which won Adult Contemporary Album of the Year at the ninth annual Hawaii Music Awards.And of course now, Lyrical Sonz.

Micah: I’ve been involved with music for over 10 years and played with a reggae cover band in Las Vegas back in 2001. I’ve actually been serious with music the past two years since we began Lyrical Sonz. I can play the ukulele and guitar.

What is your favorite song on the album and why?

Micah: Eyez Shine. I wrote it for a very special someone in my life.

Stuart: I would have to say Take You By. I like this song because it has transformed over the course of the recording process, and it involved not only Micah and I, but also Wendel Ching, who as many artists know is one of the top producers in Hawaii.

What do you think sets your music apart?

Stuart: I would have to say the different dynamics we implemented in each song create a bit of a twist for the listeners.

Micah: We build the foundation of our songs pretty much like all other local artists; however, I believe all of our songs are very catchy, easy to remember and lyrically witty.

Who have been your biggest musical influences?

Stuart: I’ve enjoyed and appreciated many artists before me, but the main ones are Cecilio & Kapono, Keali’i Reichel, IZ, Big Mountain, John Lennon, Natural Vibrations and Bob Marley.

Micah: Locally, I would have to say Jamin Wong, Sly Dog, Natural Vibrations and all original artists. Outside of Hawaii, it would have to be Big Mountain, UB40, Gentleman and the Marley family.

What are your goals for the group?

Micah: To be heard on the radio waves and be a household name in the industry. To continue writing new material and experimenting on various projects.

Stuart: I would love to see this group become a part of the Hawaii music scene. It would make me happy if we could join the island reggae community and inspire others the way I’ve been inspired.